Best and Worst Instagram Filters for Food Porn (Martha, Please Take Note)

by Jolie Peters

on 11/20/13 at 02:00 PM

Martha Stewart has found her way into the spotlight once again. This time, everyone is buzzing about a recent food photo she posted to a social media site that is less than appetizing.

We all know that photos can be made far more flattering with the tap of a filter setting on Instagram. Here are five Instagram filters that are best to use when sharing your food pics. To help all of you avoid a "Martha moment," we have outlined the best and worst times to use these filters.

Amaro

This setting will brighten a dark photo, which could be helpful if you're taking a pic in a dimly lit restaurant or bar. But if you're documenting your kitchen adventures, this could make your meal look like it was cooked under florescent lighting--or worse--in a cafeteria.

Rise

Rise adds a soft glow to any image. It is forgiving when documenting anything with a blemish. For example, the fruit salad you made with the banana you forgot to pack in your lunch last week, but are too cheap to toss out. However, if you are indulging in a vibrantly colored dish, why mute its colors?

X-Pro 11, Lo-Fi, and Hefe

Have a photo that's in need of some drama? All of these filter could work. If used on images of crispy cheese or baked goods, you'll have your viewers drooling. These filters, though, may be a bit much with photos that are already full of depth and color. We don't want your food looking like it came out of a Little Tikes play kit.

Earlybird

Want to give your food pic a vintage feel? This is the filter for you. Afraid of making your dish look like it should have been thrown out weeks ago? Maybe avoid this....

Brannan

Perfect when in need of some sharpening and contrast. Brannan will define the photo you blurred while trying to balance your spatula, frying pan, small child, and camera. However, this does add a metallic and muted tint; if you are working with vibrant colors, it could dull down your image.

A teenager I know told me that he hated cooking because nothing came out looking like the pictures with the recipe off the net.
I have to agree with him - everything is so fake that you have to discount at least 50% of the beauty of something automatically - your own filter - when you view something.
Just my thought.